Carious lesions and caries risk predictors in a group of Swedish children 2 to 3 years of age. One year observation.

AIM Identification of potential carious risk criteria, retrospectively at 2 years of age, for developing carious lesions at 3 years of age. Study design Longitudinal observations from 2 until 3 years of age. Cross-sectional observations of two cohorts of 3- year-olds with different approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 78 three- year- olds from a previous study at age 2 years. Clinical examination, diet history, questions regarding breastfeeding and salivary sampling for mutans streptococci (MS) were performed at both ages. The previous study on 124 three-year-olds was used as a control group for comparison of the 3-year-olds in the longitudinal study group. RESULTS The examinations suggested the following risk predictors: carious lesions, frequent intake of selected sugar-containing products, breastfeeding at night and MS, which covered all children with lesions at 3 years of age, resulting in a positive predictive value of 32% and a negative predictive value of 100%. The only statistically significant difference between the two groups of 3-year-olds was the reported intake of sugar-containing items. Statistics Student's t-test and chi square test, completed by Fischer's exact test. CONCLUSION The combination of the suggested risk criteria was predictive of carious lesions. In spite of individual parental information, new lesions developed after one year. Based on observations, a more structured and monitored preventive approach is suggested.